Why Is Your Systolic Blood Pressure Always Elevated?

Generally, an optimal blood pressure reading is when the systolic blood pressure is < or equal to 120 while the diastolic blood pressure is < or equal to 80. So, have you ever wondered why your systolic blood pressure always seems to be high? This is a condition called isolated systolic hypertension. What causes it? First of all, let’s understand some basics.

While checking your blood pressure, the top number is known as systolic blood pressure, which is a measure of the pressure in the blood vessels while the heart is contracting or squeezing. The diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure within your blood vessels while the heart is relaxed.

How Does Blood Pressure Work?

The heart is responsible for supplying blood to the organs and tissues in your body. To do this, your heart pumps blood into large vessels of the circulatory system every time it beats. The blood pumped into these vessels causes pressure to build up on its walls. That pressure on the blood vessels is what you see when your blood pressure is read.

What Causes High Systolic Blood Pressure or Isolated Systolic Hypertension?

A lot of attention is given to the higher number (i.e., the systolic pressure) because it is a major risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people over 50 years of age. This is because of the long-term buildup of plaque and the increasing stiffness of the large arteries. The scary part of this type of hypertension is that even young people can be affected by it. Therefore, here are some causes of isolated systolic hypertension:

• Elevated cortisol levels (chronic stress)
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Dyslipidemia and diabetes
• Certain medications

What Are the Effects of High Systolic Blood Pressure?

Similar to hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension has devastating effects on your body and can trigger the following:

• Vascular dementia due to a lack of blood to the brain
• Kidney failure
• Vision loss

What Can You Do About It?

The most common symptom of hypertension is nothing! This includes isolated systolic hypertension. This is perhaps why hypertension is called the silent killer.

Thus, on this World Hypertension Day, endeavor to measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, and live longer. Modify your lifestyle habits and incorporate NATURE’SFIELD CARDIOVIT to ensure you manage and regulate your blood pressure amid the chaos of daily living.